The ultimate goal for the Oaks Christian of Westlake Village girls’ basketball team is to win a Southern Section Div. IV-A title in March.

As for Sunday, winning the Division 2A championship at the 23rd annual San Diego Classic was a big step in the right direction for the Lions.

Oaks Christian relied on 16points from MVP Katie Brooks, including two free throws with 57seconds remaining in overtime, to outlast defending Div. I-AA champion Cajon of San Bernardino 39-37 in the final at UC San Diego.

“More than anything, it gives us a lot of confidence to know that we can compete with anyone. We have the ability, as long as we execute, we’re capable of playing at a high level,” Brooks said. “(Winning this tournament) was really important because we have such a young team and it allows us a lot of personal growth. It shows us that as long as we continue to work hard, the results will come.”

The Lions, who received nine points – including a clutch free throw with 14 seconds left in overtime – from sophomore point guard Brianna Barrett, won seven games in a four-day span in the 128-team bracket at the nation’s largest high school girls’ basketball tournament.

Following a 49-41 semifinal victory over Winslow, Ariz., Oaks Christian built a 16-10 halftime lead over Cajon and maintained the advantage for most of the second half. But Cajon outscored the Lions 11-6 in the final four minutes of regulation and Barrett missed a 15-footer at the buzzer to force the two-minute extra period.

Jazzmeen Williams, who made six free throws down the stretch to help Cajon’s comeback effort, missed both free-throw attempts with four seconds left in overtime and Brooks got the rebound to secure the victory.

“Our growth compared to where we were at this time last year has just been amazing for us,” Lions coach Andre Chevalier said. “That’s why we came down here, not only to bond, but to play high-level competition in order to help us take that next step.”

After losing Saturday to Brea-Olinda and Villa Park in the Division 3A draw, Bell-Jeff of Burbank concluded its tournament with a 40-29 victory over Long Beach Poly in the seventh-place game.

Rishonda Napier led the Guards with 14 points, with Margeaux Gupilan and Leslie Lopez-Wood – who rebounded from suffering a head injury against Villa Park – each adding eight points.

U.S. baseball team cruises into Maccabiah semifinals

The U.S. national baseball team concluded a dominant run through pool play at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv with a 17-0 mercy-rule victory over Israel.

In six contests, the Americans – featuring eight area players – have outscored opponents 123-14, including their first shutout of the tournament against Israel.

The U.S. team will face Mexico, a team it has defeated by a combined 58-6 margin in two previous games, in today’s semifinals.